News

We are here @ Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion IL – getting the chemo treatment. We have some changes to report.

We had a PET scan done yesterday because they wanted to get a better look at one tumor that was unclear in the CT scan done 3 weeks ago. The cancer in the lung has shrunk now to the point where it isn’t showing up on the PET scan at all; however the one they wanted to look at is showing bone involvement - two, possibly 3 ribs as well as slight involvement of 2 vertebrae.

They have changed and / or added chemo drugs because one is more effective against cancer in the bones. They have also changed the frequency of treatment from 3 weeks to 2 weeks. We have a prescription for pain meds if needed and an antibiotic for one of the side effects. They have also changed several supplements and added one.

This really isn’t the news we wanted but we have to face it and handle it. God is good and He has provided for us and we believe He will continue to do so.

Please keep us in your prayers. We know that God is in control and has a plan for our lives.

Progressing onward

Today is blood test day... again! Tuesday mornings @8:30.

Results are again within the normal range. We feel that progress is being made... we will beat this thing and win!!

We so appreciate the prayers and concerns from family and friends. God is good and is in control of every phase of our lives.

The latest

We will be getting round #5 of chemo treatments at Cancer Treatment Centers of America very soon. Since the completion of the last treatment, Arnie has felt amazingly well. Side effects are still being minimized because of the supplements he is taking. They added a couple more the last time we were there.

The CT scan done during our last visit showed that the cancer tumors are shrinking in size so we know that the chemo is working; also the CEA is down. Arnie says that the side effects are somewhat easier to handle when you know the treatment is working -- doing it's job!!!

There is one spot they want to look at more closely because it is located near a rib. We will be having a PET scan this time for that reason.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We feel the presence of God and we know He is in control of every aspect of our lives.

For better.... for worse

Some days are diamonds some days are stones
Sometimes the hard times won't leave me alone
Sometimes a cold wind blows a chill in my bones
Some days are diamonds some days are stones.

.....Song by John Denver

Those words do fit some of my days! Having to deal with cancer is something that you never get used to.

We continue to need prayer and support.

IT ISN'T FAIR!!!

Cancer is not fair...and even though it seems to be everywhere, that doesn't make it any easier to handle. I find myself becoming angry at times -- even resentful, and I have to remember not to allow the resentment for the disease to become resentment for the patient.

There are things we can't do because of the chemo therapy. We don't go out as often as we would like and things that need to be done around the house have to wait, for example. It is easy to allow those things to come between us and to cause friction.

But... we have to keep in mind that we are NOT cancer! Cancer is a bump in the road that we have to handle -- to deal with, yes DEAL WITH!! Throw it on the floor and stomp on it and get rid of it!

We will win this battle -- we must keep this in mind... God will see us through!

Stay Positive

Yesterday a friend shared with me that she had Arnie's name put on the prayer list of her church. He is on numerous prayer lists at many churches and he is on the minds of many who pray for him (and for me too, I hope!)which is such a source of encouragement and hope and for that I thank everyone who prays for us!

It is necessary to be around those who have a positive attitude -- it is necessary for us to be able to feel the presence of God as we travel this road.

Arnie is doing pretty well today. With each day following the infusion, he feels better - the side effects are there but are manageable for the most part. I have to try to maintain a positive attitude when I am around him. I think that helps him to feel better also.

Nothing really signifigant is happening right now as we continue to try to take this one day at a time. More later!! Keep us in your prayers!

One day at a time

Recently we returned from Cancer Treatment Centers of America after getting the scans that were scheduled following the completion of the first three treatments. The apprehension about the results was almost over whelming for both of us. My thoughts ranged from... "maybe the cancer will be completely gone"... to "what if there are more cancer tumors and the chemo is not working?"

I tried to find peace and leave it in God's hands, but that is so hard because of my human-ness, although I know that God is in control and that it IS in His hands. When we received the report, we had mostly good news and some news that was a little un-nerving.

Most of the spots in Arnie's right lung have shrunk in size - the chemo is working!! There is one site, however, that didn't shrink as much and needs to be watched because it is near a rib and hard to see, so as a result we will have a PET scan done the next time we go to CTCA.

I am relieved at the results of that CT scan. CTCA is a good place to receive treatment. We feel that God has led us there and He will continue to take care of us.

One piece of advice that our pastor gave us is that we should take things "one day at a time." I have found that to be an extremely wise piece of advice -- although I don't do it very well! I keep telling myself ...ONE DAY AT A TIME!

I can't do this on my own... I need the prayers and support from others and I need to let God have this situation and I need to NOT take it back and worry about it. Oh, how I wish I could just do that and not have to worry and fret -- much easier said than done I can assure you!

I feel the key is to take it one day at a time!!

Introduction

I have thought about this for some time --- doing a blog about the caregiver for a cancer patient.

What is a caregiver? "A caregiver gives of oneself to assure that the person in need receives the necessary care to carry on his or her life safely and with dignity.
A caregiver sees to it that the basic needs of food, clothing, cleanliness and shelter are met by the person with need.
A caregiver must also know how to meet that person's emotional needs without becoming co-dependent.
A caregiver never loses sight of his/her own needs and understands that in order to care for a loved one, you must also care for yourself."

That is the definition of "caregiver" that I found from a website. While all that may be true, I want to share with you my feelings and my interpretation of being a caregiver of a cancer patient.

Let me introduce myself. I am Arnie's wife. Arnie was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007. At that time, he had surgery, radiation and chemo treatment. This year that nasty cancer has appeared again as metastasized colon cancer in his right lung. We are on a 3 week schedule, getting treatments at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Illinois.

That is briefly where we are with this cancer and the treatments. I have gone through feelings which have included total fear - almost having a panic attack, to complete confidence that all is going to be just fine. I owe my feelings of confidence to the treatment approach from CTCA but mostly to God. I totally believe in the power of prayer and the total dependence on God. We have so much support from praying people which includes, friends and family. It is important to surround yourself with positive people and to keep in touch with them often.

I will try to write on a daily basis and share my thoughts as we travel through this journey. I welcome your comments. My intention is to help even one person who is facing what I am facing, to get through it easier and to know that what you are feeling is okay.